Full-ceramic prostheses

Full ceramic prostheses first of all are healthy and convenient. Many years ago, dentists had few options to repair decayed and damaged teeth other than amalgam, gold and other metals. With full-ceramic, your dentist can use strong, tooth coloured ceramic materials to restore your teeth to their natural strength, beauty and function. These materials – full ceramics – closely match the composition of natural tooth structure. This means when you eat hot food and then drink something cold, the restoration and tooth expand and contract at almost equal rates. So, your tooth does not crack, and you can go on enjoying your evening. Also, the materials are chemically bonded to your tooth, so your dentist can save as much healthy tooth tissue as possible while providing you with a dental restoration that strengthens your tooth.

The procedure step by step:

First, your dentist examines the tooth and determines the appropriate treatment. It could be a simple filling, or a full crown, depending on how much healthy tooth structure is remaining and the clinical judgement of your dentist. Next, he or she administers an anesthetic agent and prepares your tooth for the restoration, removing decayed and weakened tooth tissue. This preparation is just like dentist would do for many other restorative techniques.

Then, your dentist takes a modern, optical impression of the prepared tooth, he or she coats the tooth with a non-toxic, tasteless powder. A camera is then used to take a digital picture of it. This whole optical impression process only takes a minute or two.

Next, the so called CEREC machine helps the dentist create the restoration for your tooth. A 3D software takes the digital picture and converts it into a 3-dimensional virtual model on the computer screen. Your dentist then uses his or her dental expertise to design the restoration using the special 3D computer program. After planning your veneer, inlay or crown, your dentist clicks a button and the restoration design data is sent to a separate milling machine within the implant centre. A ceramic block that matches your tooth shade is placed in the milling machine. About 10-20 minutes later, your all-ceramic, tooth-coloured restoration is finished and ready to bond in place. Finally, your dentist tries the restoration in your mouth to ensure proper fit and bite. The restoration is then polished and bonded to the prepared tooth. Your tooth is restored with no “temporary” or return trip necessary. All of this is done in a single appointment!